California Dreamin' at RHS Wisley! - a photo on Flickriver

These glorious Californian poppies were taken earlier this year at RHS Wisley. If you want to hear the Mamas and the Papas performing their hit, please visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpJSohX92jM&feature=youtu.be

The flagship garden of the RHS, Wisley captures the imagination with richly planted borders, luscious rose gardens and the state-of-the-art Glasshouse. Gifted to the Society in 1903, Wisley has evolved over time into a world-class garden.

In the trials fields, the finest flowers and vegetables are identified from the countless new introductions. Elsewhere in the garden, cultivation techniques are tried and tested, and a series of model gardens answers the needs of a variety of conditions and circumstances.

History of Wisley

The Royal Horticultural Society was given Wisley in 1903, although at that time only a small part of the 24-ha (60-acre) estate was actually cultivated as a garden, the remainder being wooded farmland. The original garden was the creation of George Fergusson Wilson - businessman, scientist, inventor and keen gardener and a former Treasurer of the Society.

In 1878 he purchased the site and established the 'Oakwood experimental garden', with the idea of making 'difficult plants grow successfully'. The garden acquired a reputation for its collections of lilies, gentians, Japanese irises, primulas and water plants. The present Wild Garden at Wisley is the direct descendant of Oakwood and despite changes is still true to the original concept.

After Wilson's death in 1902, Oakwood and the adjoining Glebe Farm were bought by Sir Thomas Hanbury, a wealthy Quaker who had founded the celebrated garden of La Mortola, on the Italian Riviera. In 1903, Sir Thomas presented the Wisley estate in trust to the Society for its perpetual use.

Nothing could have been more providential in the circumstances. For at least 30 years, the Society had been seeking a larger garden 'beyond the radius of the London smoke', to replace the garden at Chiswick which it had leased since 1822. It was also committed to building a new exhibition hall and offices in Vincent Square (and the construction work had already started). Both projects were seen as a fitting way to celebrate the Society's forthcoming centenary in 1904 but there were heated arguments among the Fellows over which should have priority for the available funds.

Sir Thomas' generous donation solved both these problems at a stroke. By May 1904, the move from Chiswick to Wisley was complete and, in July, the new headquarters at Vincent Square was officially opened by King Edward VII - both in time to mark the centenary. While Wisley was taking shape as an ornamental garden, its educational and scientific roles were never forgotten. A small laboratory was opened and the School of Horticulture founded to instruct young people in the principles of horticulture and prepare them for careers as professional gardeners.

Following the move to Wisley the trials of flowers, vegetables and fruit - an important part of the Society's work since 1860 - were resumed and expanded. The trials 'epitomise...the Society's endeavour to show to the public the best kinds of plants to grow' and remain one of the principal objects of the garden. That combination of learning with pleasure is the essence of Wisley.

For more information about RHS Wisley please visit www.rhs.org.uk/Gardens/Wisley/About-Wisley and www.rhs.org.uk/Children/For-families/Plants-to-grow-with-...

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Taken on: April 4, 2006

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Poppies

California Poppies

RHS Wisley

Royal Horticultural Society

Flowers

Garden

Orange

Yellow

Green

Californian Poppies

ExcellentsFlowers

FaunayFloradelMundo

FlickrFloresCloseUpMacros

FlowersAreBeautiful

MagicMomentsInYourLifeLevel1

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Sets appears in: • The Royal Horticultural Society at Wisley • Flower Power (& a Few Leaves, Hedges & Veggies)

Groups appears in: • Creative Photo Group_ BASIC (P1-C3) • Macro.ElSalvador ( Post 1 / Comment 3 ) more » • EXCELLENTS FLOWERS [ Invitation Only/ NO FRAME - Post 1 / 4 Awar • Green & Orange • MIMAMOR FLOWERS [ Post 1 - 4Award] • FLICKR FLORES CLOSE UP Y MACROS [ Post 1 Comment 4 , INVITACION • ***Ineffable*** Award 3 • PANORAMA FOTOGRAFICO [ No Photos White & Black ] • A Virtual Journey: HD Photos of Excellence • THE BEST OF MIMAMOR'S GROUPS ( Admin Invitation Only / 1 - 4 AW • Perfect Petals - P1/A3- No Bugs or Man Made Objects ✿ • FLOWERS ARE BEAUTIFUL ( Post1 Comment on 4 ) • Solidarity against cancer ♠ Solidaridad contra el cáncer • Orange is Warm and Vivacious *NATURE ONLY* • MIXED FLOWERS [ Post 1 / Comment 3 ] • B - for BEAUTY [P1/C2] • Living Jewels of Nature • The Galaxy & Stars 1 (P1/C5 - No Art Images) • All That's Beautiful Post 1 & Award 2 . . . Please • Silver Dogbone Post1 Award 3 or more • "Beautiful Earth Level 1" (P1-A4) ~ NO PEOPLE • TOP DOG Level III • Creative Photo LEV 3 ***next generation*** _ ADVANCED [p1-c3] • L ~ 1 MAGICOS MOMENTOS EN TU VIDA [Sube 1/ Comenta 5/ Sweeper • Universal Art • Anto 's and Maïclo's Friends • ***FLORA *FAUNA *from around the world*** • best garden photos • Ladrón De Momentos • Rainbow of Nature Level 2 : ORANGE (Post1-Award4) • Rainbow of Nature Level 3 : YELLOW (Post1-Award4) • Rainbow of Nature Level 6 : PINK (Post1-Award4) • Rainbow of Nature Level 4 : GREEN (Post1-Award4) • Rainbow of Nature Level 5 : BLUE (Post1-Award4) • Rainbow of Nature Level 7 : PURPLE (Post1-Award4) • FAUNA Y FLORA DEL MUNDO { Post 1 Awards 4 / NO LANDSCAPES • Viola's and Anto's Friends Gallery • -- ❤️Love for life.. Only flowers an animals! • NATURE'S PLUS / No People [ Post 1 - Awards 5 / Not Black And • PARKS GARDENS AND WOODS • MakeLove☮NotWar « less

Camera: Nikon D80, f/5.6, 1/60 sec, 200mm (=300mm), ISO 100 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Nikon D80
Aperture:	f/5.6
Exposure Time:	0.017 sec (1/60)
Focal Length:	200mm (35mm equivalent: 300mm)
ISO:	100
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	No Flash
Exposure Program:	Aperture-priority AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Spot
White Balance:	Auto
Contrast:	High
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Ver.1.00
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